Turn Your Speaking Events into a Goldmine for Bulk Book Sales

Do you want to boost your book sales while making a lasting impact?

Speaking engagements give you a chance to inspire audiences and sell your books in bulk. Imagine your book in the hands of hundreds or even thousands of eager readers.

If you love sharing your message with a live audience, speaking engagements are the perfect way to grow your influence, boost your income, and establish your expertise.

I landed a deal to sell 500,000 copies of my first book to a single company. They shared it with their worldwide distributor network, offering it as an incentive for customers interested in product demonstrations. The program worked so well, it led to a repeat order of 250,000 copies. It all began with a simple conversation at a conference, which turned into an amazing opportunity.

Let’s explore how you can leverage these events to maximize your bulk book sales.

How Can You Sell Books in Bulk for Speaking Events?

One of the best ways to sell books in bulk at speaking engagements is by bundling them into the event package. 

Imagine this: You’re invited to speak at a leadership seminar, and you propose including a copy of your book for each attendee. Not only does this make your presentation more valuable, but it also guarantees a significant number of book sales all at once.

Consider motivational speaker and author Jonathan Leigh, who sold 500 copies of his book to an event organizer by including the books as part of his speaking fee. Jonathan approached the organizer with the idea that every participant would receive a copy to help them apply what they learned at the event. This strategy worked wonders for Jonathan’s bank account and his visibility, as hundreds of new readers now had his book in their hands.

Another strategy is to offer bulk discounts to event organizers. This can be especially appealing if you speak at conferences or corporate events. 

Let’s say you’re talking about team productivity, and your book has valuable insights for employees. Offering a bulk discount for the company to buy books for all attendees can make it easy for them to say yes.

What Are the Benefits of Bulk Book Sales for You?

The benefits of bulk book sales go beyond just the immediate financial reward. When you sell books in bulk, you increase your reach and exposure without extra work. 

Let’s go back to Jonathan’s story. By selling 500 copies of his book in one go, he earned revenue from those sales and ensured that 500 people were getting his message directly. This kind of visibility helps establish your credibility and authority in your field.

Consider the case of another author, Maria Garcia, who writes on wellness and mental health. Maria managed to get a deal with a non-profit organization running wellness workshops. Maria quickly established herself as a go-to voice in the wellness space by including her book as part of the event package. The bulk sale meant that all attendees left with a valuable resource they could refer to long after the event, strengthening Maria’s impact and reinforcing her authority.

Another benefit is the long-term connection you create. When people receive your book as part of a speaking event, they are more likely to remember your message and connect with you afterward. 

It’s not just about the sale. It’s about building a relationship with your audience. This can lead to future opportunities, like coaching, consulting, or more book sales.

How Can You Bundle Books with Speaking Fees?

Bundling books with your speaking fees is a win-win for both you and the event organizer. For you, it guarantees book sales, and for organizers, it adds value to the event. 

If you’re speaking at a workshop or seminar, you can offer a package deal that includes your speaking fee plus a set number of books for attendees.

Take, for example, business coach Lisa Thompson. Lisa includes 100 copies of her book in her standard speaking package for corporate events. By doing this, she ensures that every attendee walks away with her book, which guarantees sales and increases her credibility. The organizers also appreciate the added value, meaning participants leave with tangible takeaways reinforcing the workshop’s lessons.

Another approach is to offer special deals to the organizer. For instance, you could offer a discounted speaking fee if they buy 200 copies of your book. This can be especially enticing for organizers working within a budget, making them more likely to book you over other speakers.

Tips for Negotiating Bulk Book Sales at Speaking Engagements

Negotiating bulk book sales can be intimidating at first, but with the right approach, it becomes easier. 

Start by understanding what the event organizer needs. Are they looking to provide added value to attendees? Do they need tangible takeaways that participants can use after the event? Once you know their needs, you can frame your book as the perfect solution.

One tip is to offer a discount for bulk purchases. For example, you might offer a 20 percent discount if the organizer buys over 100 copies. You could also include extra incentives, such as signed copies or exclusive content that isn’t available in the regular edition of the book. These extras can sweeten the deal and make it more appealing to the organizer.

Another example is author Kevin Patel, who writes about personal finance. Kevin managed to negotiate a bulk sale for 300 copies of his book by offering to do a book signing at the end of his talk. This made the event more engaging for participants and gave the organizer an additional selling point to promote the event. 

Think creatively about what you can offer to sweeten the deal, whether it’s a book signing, exclusive content, or even a short Q&A session after your talk.

How Can You Maximize Book Sales at Speaking Events?

To get the most out of bulk book sales at speaking engagements, promoting your book before, during, and after the event is essential. Before the event, ensure attendees know they’ll receive a copy of your book. This helps to generate excitement and make people more eager to attend.

During the event, take every opportunity to mention your book. Talk about what’s inside, share a story from it, or read an excerpt relevant to your talk. 

Let’s take author Alex Rogers, who wrote a book on leadership skills. During his presentation, Alex shared a personal story from his book that resonated deeply with the audience. This helped the audience connect with his message. It also made them more likely to value the book they received.

After the event, follow up with attendees through email or social media. Share additional resources, encourage them to leave reviews, or invite them to join an online community related to the book. This engagement helps ensure that your book stays top-of-mind and encourages participants to share it with others.

Another tip is to have a clear call to action. After you finish speaking, let people know what they should do next. Whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for your newsletter, or following you on social media, make it easy for your audience to stay in touch and continue engaging with you and your book.

Conclusion

Selling books in bulk at speaking engagements is a fantastic way to boost your visibility, increase revenue, and provide real value to event attendees. Bundle your book with your speaking fee. Negotiate bulk sales with good incentives. Promote your book before, during, and after the event. These steps help you make a bigger impact and build lasting connections with your audience.

Take inspiration from the examples of Jonathan, Maria, Lisa, Kevin, Alex, and myself. Each of us found creative ways to use bulk book sales to our advantage. 

Remember, it’s not just about making money right away. It’s about building relationships, showing expertise, and reaching more people. Next time you prepare for a speaking event, consider how bulk book sales can help you make the most of it.